What we can offer that no one else can

by dt3 on May 19, 2010 12:00 PM EDT

Looking back at the season, my last fanpost (Potential 6-10 targets because there is no way we win the lottery) sure does look foolish. Leading in to the lottery I think we all had very similar feelings, we were all so sure it wasnt going to happen we almost expected it to happen. Now that it did happen it really does open up nearly endless possibilities on how this offseason can playout, if I had it my way this is how I would do it...

I love Evan Turner's game, his defensive versatility and the comparisons some have made to Scottie Pippen make me wonder if we may have finally found a compliment to Gilbert and some of his Jordan-esque qualities. As intriguing as that may sound though I just dont see a way you pass up on Wall. Look at the Oden/Durant case, in that situation I think there was an even better case for going with Durant over Oden (then there is with going Turner over Wall). Even the biggest Durant supporters and Oden detractors could have imagined a wider gap between the two, but there is still (little to) no hate on portland for making that move. Could you imagine if the positions were swapped?? If Portland did go for Durant only to see him muscled around while Oden developed into an uglier dwight howard?? Portland would be laughed out of the league. In situations like this I think you have to go with the Wall/Oden type and let the Durant/Turners prove you wrong.

Now that we have "decided" on Wall it leaves us with the question on how to fill out the rest of the roster. Everyone's natural assumption is Gilbert moving to the SG spot and calling it a day, I just dont see it happening. I was very outspoken on how I didnt see how you could reintroduce Gilbert to a locker room with so many young and impressionable players (namely Blatche, Young, and McGee). Now we are going to add a player like Wall, a 19 year old stud with as much potential as the previous 3 players combined, and have Gilbert being the closest thing to a veteran influence in the whole locker room?? The first time Wall sees Gilbert blow flip off, dog it in practice, or not buy into a defensive philosophy we can kiss Flip gooodbye... he has officially lost the 1 member of the team he didnt lose last year during the Blatche saga. Indulge me for one minute and we'll get right back to my plans for Gilbert.

Moving into free agency... any right thinking basketball fan has to have Lebron on the top of any wishlist. Sure the competition is going to be tough but (with Wall) I think we can not only compete with any other possible destination but also offer what no other team can... a legitimate sign and trade option with the Cavaliers. No one is saying that Gilbert would be their first option, more that it could be their only option. No other team could offer the Cavs a player that they could use to at least stay competitive (for the 8th playoff spot that is) while still giving Lebron a chance to win with his new team. Sure we might have to include a future pick or two, Cleveland might have to get the spin machine working on how poor Gilbert simply a victim of circumstance and DCs crazy gun laws but I really think this is a possibility. Lebron gets to play in (believe it or not) a major market, the contract he thought could have only had in Cleveland, and a great chance to win. Cleveland gets to get something in return for LBJ and doesnt have to endure the embarassment of being the first team going from the best record in the league to the worst (with a team built around vareajo, jamison, and jj hickson can you expect and better??).

The scary thing is that after this move we would still have enough cap room to sign a max free agent plus some other help. Looking first at our own free agents... Shaun Livingston was 1st on everyones list to resign but after picking up 2 distributors in Wall and James does he still fit?? Would we want more of a scoring PG to now come in after Wall?? Could that scoring PG be Randy Foye?? Without having to worry about distributing the ball could he finally excel in more of a spot up jumpshooting role?? Speaking of spot up jumpshooters, I cant think of many in the league much better than Mike Miller (also supposed to a friend of lebrons). Could the added talent around him make his passivity less of an issue?? I would lean towards keeping Mike Miller first but Ive always been overly partial towards him and honestly cant decide what I would want to do with the rest.

Looking around the rest of the league there are 3 names I would target first... Joe Johnson - currently lebron is playing the 2 in this pipe dream with Al Thornton playing the 3. With JJ coming in at SG it lets Lebron slide to the 3 (IMO his more natural position) with Al coming off the bench. Rudy Gay - This would probably mean Lebron has to play the 2 but I have always been fascinated with his athleticism. Everything I hear is that Memphis wants to do everything possible to keep the restrcited free agent around though so we might not even get a chance. Finally, the third name, a surprising name to some... Brendan Haywood - Hey I love Javale McGee as much as the next guy, probably more than the next guy but Haywood can add some of the defense that McGee lacks while he continues to develop.

PG - Wall (1), G.Vasquez (34), vet pg (fish??)

SG - Lebron (S/T) ,Mike Miller (resign +/- MLE)

SF - Al Thornton, Devin Ebanks (30)

PF - Blatche

C - Haywood, McGee

(I honestly started writing up this lineup with us signing JJ and playing him at the 2. Seeing how thin that left us at 4/5 and probably without enough money to sign Haywood I changed it up. Not too worried about it though the point of this fanpost was more to start the idea of a Lebron/Gilbert sign and trade then to get a final lineup for next year.)

This represents the view of the user who wrote the FanPost, and not the entire Bullets Forever community. We're a place of many opinions, not just one.

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I hope things materialize that way. We shall see.

by Jeremybozz on May 19, 2010 12:10 PM EDT reply actions

Ernie would have a statue on the white house front lawn

if we sign and trade Gilbert for Lebron. The cavs would be taking the wiz (Gil and Jamison) and trying to win with a worst supporting cast. The Cavs are better off letting Lebron walk, trying to dump contracts and start over.

However, if by some act of god, Ernie pulled off a sign and trade for Lebron, we would win 6 championships. The Wiz would have Wall, Lebron, and no long term contracts. We could build a team perfectly to fit Lebron and would not have to do it over night. I mean, the options are endless, but its just not going to happen

by Blatche4MVP on May 19, 2010 1:22 PM EDT reply actions

Gilbert being the closest thing to a veteran influence in the whole locker room??

What about Sam Cassell?

by Parks Smith on May 19, 2010 1:35 PM EDT reply actions

Why

I didnt see how you could reintroduce Gilbert to a locker room with so many young and impressionable players (namely Blatche, Young, and McGee). Now we are going to add a player like Wall, a 19 year old stud with as much potential as the previous 3 players combined, and have Gilbert being the closest thing to a veteran influence in the whole locker room??

this team is no longer Gilbert’s. It’s John’s team as soon as they draft him. If Gilbert doesn’t take to what he’s asked to do they won’t have any problem finding room on the bench for him. Nothing gets int he way of the new Man. Its also a bit of a stretch to think that Wall will unravel as a man at the first sight of Gilbert’s immaturity. if Wall was truly that easily swayed toward ignoring his coach it’d be a huge red flag for any team. I think you’ve WAY overstated this.

The young guys you mention have seen exactly where Gilbert’s “personality” got him. The last thing they want is to follow his path. Seeing a new contrite and hard working Gilbert may just be good for them.

by Jheiser3 on May 19, 2010 3:53 PM EDT reply actions

It’s John’s team as soon as they draft him.

ok so if thats the case then what do we want with an $18 million dollar second fiddle

If Gilbert doesn’t take to what he’s asked to do they won’t have any problem finding room on the bench for him.

I dont question if they can find room on the bench for him… I do question if they could ever find a taker for him if things were to go poorly after his return. You have to think Gilbert’s value is in the basement right now, the only reason I suspect we could even get Cleveland to bite is to find something redeeming in losing the face of their organization. If we bring Gilbert back only to bench him we are figuratively ripping out the floor boards of the basement and digging a 15 foot hole in regards to his trade value.

Its also a bit of a stretch to think that Wall will unravel as a man at the first sight of Gilbert’s immaturity. if Wall was truly that easily swayed toward ignoring his coach it’d be a huge red flag for any team.

If you google the term “red flag for ignoring his coach” you are linked directly to this quote..

“I just try not to listen to (Coach Cal) and go out and play basketball and try and help my team win.”
- John Wall 3 months ago

No one is accusing John of “unraveling as a man” but the truth is he is still an impressionable young man. You dont have to look any further than a 13 month old breaking and entering charge from last year to tell you that. Any time you have a 19 year old coming into an NBA locker room they are going to look for people to look up to and model themselves after. Gilbert… all pro, 100 million dollar contract, likeable guy, charasmatic guy… I imagine they are going to get pretty close, pretty quick. That scares the hell out of me.

Seeing a new contrite and hard working Gilbert may just be good for them.

I think the last time I heard a similar quote was the night before the finger gun fiasco.

VOID!!!

by dt3 on May 19, 2010 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions

So Gilbert is at all all time low for value, but not starting him creates a new low that a felony conviction didn’t? But regardless of all that and the injuries and the contract, Cleveland is going to trade us LeBron for him. Am I reading that right? That’s what this entire exercise relies on doesn’t it? But that’s somehow much more likely than Gilbert taking a backseat to the new face of the franchise and new ownership?

Lots of players get big contracts. Michael Redd and Richard Jefferson are two guys that got huge superstar deals only to be relegated to complimentary roles. Why were they able to handle it? Because of new direction from the front office, a coach or player that required them to fall in line etc. Anyone but Wall and the player route was unavailable. Now there is no doubt that he is the future and Gilbert is second. New ownership gives him a clean slate and a new franchise player actually takes the spotlight off of him.

-No, you accused him of causing Flip’s exit based on the first time Gilbert doesn’t do as instructed. Not only that but now John Wall and his family of support (its considerable) is going to model himself after the convicted felon who just got out of a halfway house. I just wanted to re-type that in case you had forgotten to put a wink in there or something.

by Jheiser3 on May 19, 2010 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions

So Gilbert is at all all time low for value, but not starting him creates a new low that a felony conviction didn’t? But regardless of all that and the injuries and the contract, Cleveland is going to trade us LeBron for him. Am I reading that right?

You arent… in the scenario laid out, Arenas comes back as a starter and then is forced on to the bench after poor performance.

Michael Redd and Richard Jefferson are two guys that got huge superstar deals only to be relegated to complimentary roles. Why were they able to handle it?

To say you are comparing apples and oranges here is an understatement… more like you are comparing apples and xbox360s. I dont understand your complete line of thought here but in short they were able to handle it because 1) they werent headcases to begin with and 2) they had either a strong head coach (skiles in redd’s case) or veteran players (the entire spurs roster in RJs case) if they developed a case of headcase-itis. Neither of these teams had the locker room problems that the wizards have either. To say Leonsis is now signing the checks instead of Pollin and poof everyone gets a fresh start is amazingly short sighted.

Now there is no doubt that he is the future and Gilbert is second.

you dont have any doubts… does gilbert??

No, you accused him of causing Flip’s exit based on the first time Gilbert doesn’t do as instructed. Not only that but now John Wall and his family of support (its considerable) is going to model himself after the convicted felon who just got out of a halfway house.

no… I said that the first time Gilbert doesnt do as instructed it starts the ball rolling towards Flip’s exit.

Are we really going to start talking about John Wall and his strong family model?? During his college recruiting many were talking about how his scumbag of a dad was scaring off many schools because they didnt want to take him as part of the package. Even if his dad was a father of the year candidate would he be walking him to practice and holding his hand in the locker room, telling him who he could/couldnt hang out with?? I just wanted to re-type that in case you had forgotten to put a wink in there or something.

===

Am I saying this is what is going to happen?? Not at all. I’m just trying to lay out a possible scenario on how we could kill 2 birds with 1 stone.

VOID!!!

by dt3 on May 19, 2010 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions

For what it's worth, Flip has said several times that Gil did "everything I asked of him" this year

BF on Twitter I BF on Facebook.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on May 19, 2010 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions

1) I am an idiot
2) I apologize

After doing a google search it turns out that Wall’s father died when he was 10 years old. I dont know if i was confusing wall with another recruit or just fabricated the story in my head. Either way I should have done that search before pushing post.

VOID!!!

by dt3 on May 19, 2010 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions

No worries

It happens.

BF on Twitter I BF on Facebook.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on May 19, 2010 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions

No, you were

Somehow my scenario ripped a new hole into Gilbert’s trade value and that’s completely illogical… but you see no issue with the reasoning behind Cleveland trading Lebron to DC in exchange for Gilbert and his already minuscule trade value. But your scenario also included poor performance on top of his injury problems and bloated contract. Maybe I’m not reading something correctly but it feels like you’re playing both sides. He’s good enough that Cleveland would except him and his contract in exchange for Lebron, while his performance was what put him on teh bench…?

When I talked about Wall’s considerable family I meant his entourage that will be in DC with him, not that they are the Waltons. JW has already mentioned that his family will be where he is and often travel with him, including his sisters. Given that I find it strange that he would somehow become GIlbert Jr right after Gilbert is suspended for the rest of the season, convicted of a felony and had his freedom taken from him.

Honestly I don’t care what Gilbert doubts or not. He is being given a chance, a fresh start by new ownership. With Wall on his way Gilbert is no longer the big dog in the locker room. He will no longer be the focal point of marketing. He won’t see giant versions of himself everywhere in DC. It will be Wall because he is this franchise’s future. If Gilbert doesn’t see it he only need look up to be reminded.

by Jheiser3 on May 19, 2010 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions

no sir you are illogical

Somehow my scenario ripped a new hole into Gilbert’s trade value

what are you talking about?? Your scenario?? Yes, even with the assumption that Gilbert is going to come back and start in the frontcourt with JW his value is low. If he comes back and (for whatever reason) shows he cant be a starter for this team his trade value drops even lower. Where do we disagree on this idea??

you see no issue with the reasoning behind Cleveland trading Lebron to DC in exchange for Gilbert and his already minuscule trade value

a chart describing trade value

a bag of funyuns >> gilbert arenas >> nothing

my only point is gilbert might have more trade value than letting him go to the Nets for nothing… do i think they would take it? No. But I didnt think Memphis would trade Pau Gasol for Kwame Brown either. You never know what a team/GM in panic is going to do and I think after cleveland loses Lebron there panic is going to be at an all time high.

VOID!!!

by dt3 on May 20, 2010 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Come on

Why couldn’t Arenas be a starter in this league? He averaged 22 and 7 in the half season he played last year, and in his first long stint playing after his injury. The guy average close to 30ppg before the injury. You can make a case for off-court issues, but on-court he is still a baller, and there is no reason to think he would have completely lost his game.

by Team Serbia on May 21, 2010 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions

The suspension just looks like more lost time to other teams. Its actually worse that he has missed time for both on and off the court reasons. That’s two minefields for GM’s to dance through. How do you trade for a guy who has Gilbert money coming to him, has missed all those games after multiple knee surgeries AND a felony conviction?

There’s nowhere for him to go and he desperately needs a fresh start. . Ownership is doing the right thing by offering a clean slate. That’s the best way to add value to your most expensive asset. There will be a market next year If he can make it through this season and put up even close to those numbers.

by Jheiser3 on May 21, 2010 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions